MACROMOLECULE: A very large molecule, or polymer, made up of lots of little parts, or monomers. Some examples of macromolecules include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
MAGNIFICATION: How large an image is; the total magnification of a microscope = the eyepiece X objective lens
MARINE: An adjective for things related to the sea or ocean.
MASS: The amount of matter (stuff) in an object or substance. Mass is different than weight. Weight depends on gravity. Your mass is the same no matter where you are.
MEAN: The average. You calculate the mean using the following steps:
1) Add up all the numbers
2) Divide by the number of numbers
1) Add up all the numbers
2) Divide by the number of numbers
MEDIAN: The middle number. You calculate the median using the following steps:
1) Put all the numbers in order
2) Find the number in the middle! If two numbers are in the middle, find the mean of these two numbers!
1) Put all the numbers in order
2) Find the number in the middle! If two numbers are in the middle, find the mean of these two numbers!
MEIOSIS: The process that makes gametes (sex cells). Meiosis cuts that number of chromosomes from the parent cell in half. A total of four genetically unique haploid cells are made during this process.
MELANIN: A protective protein that functions as a pigment in skin cells. It is responsible for the coloration of human skin.
MEMBRANE-BOUND ORGANELLE: An organelle (cell part) that has its own membrane around it. A separate compartment (room) in a cell. Only eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles.
MENDEL, Gregor: Considered the father of genetics because of his early work with pea plants.
MENISCUS: The curve or smiley face at top of a liquid in a container; you always measure from the bottom of the curve or smiley face
MESSENGER RNA (mRNA): A special type of RNA that is made from DNA in the nucleus of the cell. mRNA delivers DNA's message (how to make a protein) to the ribosome.
METABOLISM: All the chemical reactions inside of a cell or an organism. This is one of the five characteristics of life.
METAL: A family on the periodic table. Located on the left-hand side. Metals are silver, have luster, are good conductors, and are malleable.
METALLOID: The semimetals located along the stair step on the periodic table. Metalloids have some characteristics of metals (shiny), but also nonmetals (brittle). They have lower conductivity than most metals. The metalloids are boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, tellurium, polonium.
METAPHASE: The second phase of mitosis, where chromosomes line up at the equator (middle) of the cell.
METAMORPHIC ROCK: Rock that formed under intense heat and pressure. An example of metamorphic rock is granite.
MIGRATION: The seasonal movement of animals from place to place.
MIMICRY: An adaptation that allows organisms to look (resemble) and act like another organism. This adaptation provides protection from predators.
MITOCHONDRIA: The site of cellular respiration in eukaryotes. The powerhouse of the cell. "Mighty Mitochondria!"
MITOSIS: A four step process that divides the nucleus of a cell. This process makes identical diploid cells.
Step 1: Prophase
Step 2: Metaphase
Step 3: Anaphase
Step 4: Telophase
Step 1: Prophase
Step 2: Metaphase
Step 3: Anaphase
Step 4: Telophase
MIXTURE: A combination of two or more substances that do not combine chemically but remain the same individual substances. Mixtures can be separated by physical means.
MODE: The number that occurs the most. There can be more than one mode.
MOLECULE: A group of atoms held together by covalent bonds.
MONOMER: The piece (building block) that are used to make a large molecule (polymer)
MONOSACCHARIDE: The monomer (building block) of a carbohydrate. It means "one sugar" or "simple sugar"
mRNA: See messenger RNA.
MULTICELLULAR: Being made of more than one cell
MUTAGEN: Any agent that can cause a change in DNA (mutation). Examples: radiation, chemicals, and high temperatures
MUTATION: A change in the sequence of nitrogen bases in DNA. A change in DNA.
MUTUALISM: A symbiotic relationship that benefits both organisms.